Week 4: Rice at Texas

The Longhorns didn’t play last week, given a surprise week off due to threats associated with Hurricane Ike. It was no time off, however, from questions and concerns over their pedestrian running game. Texas, which will now play Arkansas on Sept. 27, still doesn’t have a 100-yard rushing game from anyone other than quarterback Colt McCoy.

Potential for problems cropped up when Jamaal Charles bolted early for the NFL after last season, leaving the Longhorns with no proven nor particularly exciting option as a replacement. The first two games have done nothing to alleviate concerns, with Vondrell McGee, Fozzy Whittaker and Chris Ogbonnaya each looking rather ordinary.

So far, Texas coach Mack Brown is downplaying this lack of a feature back the Horns have been long been known for. And Brown doesn’t seem bothered by a committee, pointing to Southern Cal’s rotation in last week’s rout of Ohio State.

“They had four really good ones step up,” Brown said. “I’m not worried about who does it. I jut like to have yards. We don’t care how we score. We don’t care who does it.

“We like scoring a lot. And that’s what we want to do.”

Maybe this matchup with Rice will shed more light on where the Longhorns are running. Texas has gouged the Owls on the ground in seven games – all wins – since Brown’s arrival at Texas. Rice ranks 74th nationally in rushing defense and is allowing 4.62 yards per carry. Not good.

Notes:

Texas has blocked in a punt in both games this season and have now blocked an NCAA-best 50 kicks since 2000.

Rice’s initial preparation for the Longhorns began last Sunday for the coaching staff – in meeting rooms at the Airport Marriott in Nashville, Tenn. The team stayed in Nashville, following its loss at Vanderbilt, for two days following Hurricane Ike’s rampage through Houston.

The Longhorns have scored at least 50 points on Rice each of the past three years.

Texas needs work on its two-minute defense. The Horns have allowed just two touchdowns this season, but each came on drives just before halftime.

Player to Watch (Longhorns) – Roddrick Muckelroy, LB

Defending Rice can be a dicey proposition for a linebacker. Not only must Owls quarterback Chase Clement be accounted for in the running game, tight end James Casey is a hot target in the passing game. Muckelroy, UT’s leading tackler, needs to be sharp mentally.

Player to Watch (Owls) – Chase Clement, QB

Clement ranks sixth nationally in total offense at 356.33 yards per game. He’s got premier receivers in wideout Jarrett Dillard and Casey, who’s tied for the national lead in receptions per game. Clement also leads the spread-attack Owls in rushing.

Texas by 24